Small Ship, Big War - The Voyages of the Hibiki

[Cuttlefish]

November 12, 1942

Location: 245 miles north-northwest of Kwajalein
Course: Northwest
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 437

Orders: Proceed to the Kuril Islands.

---

It is again night off Paramushiro Jima. Several miles off the southern end of the volcanic island, where the Japanese airstrip and fortresses are located, US battleship Oklahoma her escorts make a stealthy approach. Their orders are to bombard the Japanese positions at Paramushiro for a second night.

There is a stiff, cold wind blowing as the ships near bombardment range. Through occasional gaps in the scudding clouds the volcanic peaks rising behind the Japanese base show dark against the stars.

The gaps in the clouds do not, however, reveal two columns of Japanese ships moving in from the west to intercept the American vessels. Each column is composed of four destroyers led by a light cruiser. These ten ships, designated the Northern Force, are at the moment the entire Japanese naval presence in the Kuriles. It is a force, however, that the Americans are unaware exists.

They will not remain in ignorance much longer. The Japanese have already spotted the Americans and are approaching the American ships almost head on. As they close to within 20,000 meters the columns begin to swing to each side in preparation for a torpedo attack. After another few moments both columns launch torpedoes at the American ships. The range is long, still over 15,000 meters, but the Japanese have the advantage of surprise and a relatively slow enemy column.

American radar, meanwhile, has finally penetrated the high seas and flying spray and detected the Japanese ships. Star shells provide fitful illumination through the storm wrack just before a series of explosions rips through the American column. Destroyer Sands is ripped by a massive internal explosion and sinks swiftly. Destroyer Brooks, holed near the engine room, is left drifting and helpless. Light cruiser Detroit staggers under a torpedo hit and falls out of line.

A brief but vicious fight erupts between the two forces. The melee is wild and confused, with the high seas hampering both sides. The lightly armored Japanese ships have done what they came to do and have no intention of slugging it out with a battleship, but they cannot completely avoid the disorganized but angry US response. They briefly exchange gunfire with the American ships and launch more torpedoes, hitting and sinking US destroyer Humphreys. Light cruiser Sendai attracts Oklahoma’s attention and takes two 14” shell hits. Though badly hurt she is able to maintain enough speed to vanish into the darkness, followed swiftly by the other Japanese ships.

They leave behind three American destroyers either sinking or sunk. Several other US ships have sustained damage, particularly the Detroit. The remaining US ships rescue who they can from the icy waters and head back to the Aleutians.

---

The news of the victory reaches Japan in time to brighten the day’s newspapers and government news broadcasts. What is not mentioned to the public is that the enemy force was surprisingly undersized for its mission and composed entirely of older, slower ships. These facts do not escape the Japanese high command, however, and they ponder and debate them throughout the day as the Hibiki and the rest of the carrier force moves north.

[Onime No Kyo]

Hmm...the freezer is heating up.

[princep01]

This engagement smacks of American trickery and chicanery.  A few holes in a volcanic rock, a few lost US DDs and a damaged CL on each side in exchange for a long, long voyage by KB to the cul de sac off the middle of nowhere.  Hummmmmmm.  Me thinks I smell a Nimitz rat.

[Onime No Kyo]

ORIGINAL: princep01

This engagement smacks of American trickery and chicanery.  A few holes in a volcanic rock, a few lost US DDs and a damaged CL on each side in exchange for a long, long voyage by KB to the cul de sac off the middle of nowhere.  Hummmmmmm.  Me thinks I smell a Nimitz rat.

I dont think CF can take the chance. Up north is probablt the weakest area in his cordon, and they both know it. But hey, grand strategy isnt what this AAR is about. On with the show.

[tocaff]

Brrrr!  Waters that cold are a death knell to anyone "lucky" enough to survive a sinking ship.  Could the KB be running in useless circles?  Have the Japanese given the initiative over to the USN?  So many questions, so much FOG.

[kaleun]

Hmmm.
The war heats up.

[Capt. Harlock]

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish

After another few moments both columns launch torpedoes at the American ships. The range is long, still over 15,000 meters, but the Japanese have the advantage of surprise and a relatively slow enemy column.

American radar, meanwhile, has finally penetrated the high seas and flying spray and detected the Japanese ships. Star shells provide fitful illumination through the storm wrack just before a series of explosions rips through the American column. Destroyer Sands is ripped by a massive internal explosion and sinks swiftly. Destroyer Brooks, holed near the engine room, is left drifting and helpless. Light cruiser Detroit staggers under a torpedo hit and falls out of line.

Remarkably good torpedo performance considering the range and sea conditions. (You'd think some of the torpedoes would broach.)

And sending the KB into this area is a risk. What happens if a BB force surprises the carriers in a storm, when the aircraft can't fly?

[kaleun]

My thoughts exactly. Although maybe KB will stay further south, in a standoffish sort of way[8|]

[Cuttlefish]

ORIGINAL: Onime No Kyo

ORIGINAL: princep01

This engagement smacks of American trickery and chicanery.  A few holes in a volcanic rock, a few lost US DDs and a damaged CL on each side in exchange for a long, long voyage by KB to the cul de sac off the middle of nowhere.  Hummmmmmm.  Me thinks I smell a Nimitz rat.

I dont think CF can take the chance. Up north is probablt the weakest area in his cordon, and they both know it. But hey, grand strategy isnt what this AAR is about. On with the show.

It's safe to say that the two of you have almost exactly summed up the debate currently going on at Imperial HQ. But as Onime says, on with the show...

[Cuttlefish]

November 13, 1942

Location: 220 miles north of Eniwetok
Course: Northwest
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 1
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 399

Orders: Proceed to the Kuril Islands.

---

Riku and a warrant officer are going through one of the forward lockers doing an inventory of the Hibiki’s foul weather gear. No one has paid any attention to this gear in many months, and the jackets, parkas, and mittens are dirty and moth-eaten. Riku is counting and calling out numbers, which the warrant officer duly records on his clipboard.

“What about the footgear?” asks the warrant officer. In response Riku emerges holding up a pair of rubberized boots that look as though they might fit an ogre out of legend. He looks quizzically at the warrant officer, who smiles.

“The boots,” says the warrant officer, “are designed to ship as much water as possible. That gives you more traction on slippery decks.” He steps forward and picks up a heavy woolen mitten. “The mittens are designed to prevent enlisted men from being able to do anything with their hands, such as adjusting the focus on a pair of binoculars or picking their noses. These,” he says, indicating one of the jackets, “are meant to keep hard-working sailors from overheating by absorbing many liters of ice cold water.”

I see,” says Riku. He picks up the indicated jacket and, sticking one hand through a hole under the right arm, wiggles his fingers.

“This stuff is in deplorable shape,” comments the warrant officer. “How are you with a needle and thread, Seaman Ariga?”

“Warrant Officer, I will do my best,” says Riku. He gestures at the quantity of gear. “But if it is to be done by the time we get up north…” The warrant officer nods.

“Yes, you will need some help,” he says. “I will see to that. Carry on, Seaman Ariga.” He tucks the clipboard under his arm and strolls off, leaving Riku to begin sorting out the gear that needs repair.

---

Chief Petty Officer Shun addresses a line of ten sailors on the foredeck.

“I need two volunteers to do some sewing and mending,” he says. The line of sailors remains motionless, all eyes carefully trained straight ahead. Shun grins.

“What’s the matter,” he says, “are all of you too manly and bold to do women’s work?” There is no answer from the sailors, but an alert observer can detect a few nervous twitches among them. They are entering shoal waters here, and they know it.

Shun begins to stroll slowly in front of the sailors. “This is the Japanese Navy,” he says. “Here, there is no such thing as men’s work or women’s work. There is only Navy work.” He pauses and looks at each of the sailors in turn. “This is good,” he continues in a biting voice, “because I don’t think that any of you precious, soft little jellyfish are up to doing men’s work. Are you?’ he barks suddenly, right in one sailor’s face.

“Yes, Chief Petty Officer,” blurts out the sailor.

“Yes I am right or yes, you can do a man’s work? Which?” snarls Shun.

“You are right, Chief,” says the sailor hurriedly. Shun steps back and nods.

“Damned right I am,” he says. He resumes his slow pacing in front of the sailors. His voice is almost conversational. “So, ladies, who volunteers?” He stops and lets the silence build for a moment.

One sailor, perhaps a bit bolder or smarter than the others, suddenly takes a decisive step forward. To volunteer for such an assignment is humiliating, but the sailor recognizes that it may be nothing compared to what they are in for if Shun is allowed to work up a good head of steam. A friend of his hesitates, then follows his lead and also steps forward. Shun nods.

“Very good,” he says. “Report to the foul-weather locker, you will be shown what to do.” The men respond and hurry off. Shun steps back and addresses the remaining eight sailors.

“As for the rest of you…” he pauses and delivers the next word with contempt, “…men, since such delicate work is apparently beneath you I have another assignment. It seems that a corroded pipe has contaminated the bilges with sewage. You will repair the pipe and clean the bilges until they shine…”

[kaleun]

“As for the rest of you…” he pauses and delivers the next word with contempt, “…men, since such delicate work is apparently beneath you I have another assignment. It seems that a corroded pipe has contaminated the bilges with sewage. You will repair the pipe and clean the bilges until they shine…”

[:D]Why did I see that coming?[:D]

[Onime No Kyo]

Ah! Now I understand what he meant by "navy work".

[ny59giants]

NAVY stands for:
Never
Again
Volunteer
Yourself

Been there and done that!![:D][:D]

But sometimes, it is better to volunteer for certain projects. [:-]

[goodboyladdie]

As Russell Crow's character said -" the lesser of two weevils".

[tocaff]

Ah yes, never voulunteer and then when you haven't you get the really bad duties.  It's the same in every military the world over.  As to the foul weather gear being in horrible concition, what else is new?  I could tell a story about air crews of the 9th VHBG of the 20th Air Force being issued artic gear prior to their deployment to Tinian.

[kaleun]

That was done on purpose[;)]
To fool enemy spies[8|]

[bradfordkay]

Hey, at 18000 feet they need that arctic gear!

[tocaff]

The B-29 was a rather people friendly aircraft as it had creature comforts such as heaters.  My father said that he slept for the bulk of each mission as radio operators didn't have lots to do under radio silence except to listen for incoming messages and that woke him instantly.  The artic gear was never needed.

[Cuttlefish]

November 14, 1942

Location: 310 miles north of Eniwetok
Course: Northwest
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 1
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 369

Orders: Proceed to the Kuril Islands.

---

On the bridge of the Hibiki:

Lookout: Captain, signal from the Shokaku. All ships prepare to execute starboard turn one hundred eighty degrees.

Captain Ishii: What? All right, send an acknowledgement. Helm, keep an eye on Shokaku, turn as she does. Maintain our relative distance.

Helmsman: Yes sir.

Lieutenant Sugiyura: We’re turning around, sir?

Captain Ishii: *grumpily* That’s usually what a one hundred eighty degree turn means, yes.

Lieutenant Sugiyura: Yes sir, sorry. But I wonder why? Did something else happen up north, or maybe elsewhere?

Captain Ishii: I have no idea, Lieutenant. Maybe there is action somewhere else. Maybe someone at Imperial Headquarters read some fish entrails and decided this move was a bad idea. I suppose we’ll learn eventually.

---

The two task forces swing slowly around, the wakes of the ships describing long, graceful curves in the water. All six Japanese carriers and their escorts come about and head southeast, back towards Kwajalein.

[Cuttlefish]

November 15, 1942

Location: 50 miles northeast of Eniwetok
Course: Southeast
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 332

Orders: Return to Kwajalein.

---

Seaman First Class Riku Ariga is sitting on the deck outside the foul weather locker, sewing up a rip in the side of a parka. His two assistants are nearby, performing similar work. Though it does not look as though there will be an immediate need for the gear Riku sees no reason the job should not be finished and the gear properly stowed. It will probably be needed some day, after all.

Though he has heard nothing a movement to one side catches his eye. He turns his head and finds himself looking at a pair of polished black shoes and crisply creased blue trousers. He looks up and meets the unwinking gaze of Chief Petty Officer Shun.

He can’t help feeling a shiver of fear as he looks at the Chief. The two men have had little contact since the disciplinary hearing following Shun’s attack on Riku, and what contact there has been has been impeccably formal. Right now the expression on Shun’s ugly features is carefully neutral.

The three sailors start to scramble to their feet, but Shun puts out a hand to forestall them.

“Keep working,” he growls. The men settle back and resume work, though they are anything but relaxed and their fingers feel suddenly thick and clumsy. Shun reaches down and picks up a jacket that Riku has already patched. He holds it up and runs a finger along the sleeve where Riku has mended a seam.

Riku has had little previous experience with needle and thread. Sewing is considered woman’s work. But though he has no real knack for it he has approached each repair with care and consideration. Shun is examining a seam that the fussiest Tokyo housewife would find acceptable. He grunts and puts the jacket back down, then moves over and examines the work of the other two men. They have allowed themselves to learn a few tricks from Riku and their work also passes inspection.

Shun moves on. As he passes out of earshot Riku exhales deeply. Though Shun never lets anything show outwardly he can feel the Chief’s hostility towards him. He wonders if that will ever change. As he works he pictures himself doing something heroic to save the Hibiki while Shun nods in approval and then gives him permission to court his daughter. This pleasant daydream lasts until he misses a stitch and pokes the needle into the tip of one of his fingers.